Catholicism vs Protestantism

[Roughsoul1991]

I am using hyperbolic language when I say "lynch mob"
Criticism of Roman Catholicism is not unfounded. And sometimes people turn up here simply to be antagonistic.
But sometimes they don't. They might be searching or wanting to discuss Jesus and we shouldn't put them off.
Denominational rage goes back a long way to the point of starting wars and not all the blame can be laid strictly
at the feet of Catholics.

Of course Protestants and Catholics continue to have many significant differences. These disagreements should be matters that can be discussed between reasonable adults. It is one thing, though, to say, “Let us discuss our disagreements, that perhaps we might understand each other better,” and another thing entirely to say, “You are the great whore of Babylon!”
When one party views the other as a wilful participant in a religious organisation that is the actual embodiment of Satan
on the earth, then even simple dialogue becomes impossible. Though this dynamic has plagued the relationship of Roman Catholics and Protestants for the past five hundred years we should look forward. The enemy is at the gate.

I suppose where people get testy is if you view this topic as a soul salvation issue. Because then those that are leading others into Catholicism is essentially leading people to Hell.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

False dichotomy

However, using psychology to explain what is spiritual is like to understand the introductory calculus by teaching cost accounting .. not sure how much overlap there is.

The psychology wasn't to explain spiritual matters. But to show why that type of evangelism approach isn't productive.

 

[EleventhHour]

The psychology wasn't to explain spiritual matters. But to show why that type of evangelism approach isn't productive.

Oh I see... okay makes sense for sure, and agree.

 

[TheIndianGirl]

In places where there are not too many Christians, or where Christians are persecuted such as ISIS controlled Syria, Protestant and Catholic pastors/priests WORK TOGETHER. The local churches there WORK TOGETHER. A travelling missionary who has been to places like Nigeria and Middle East said this at my church.

 

[EleventhHour]

I am using hyperbolic language when I say "lynch mob"
Criticism of Roman Catholicism is not unfounded. And sometimes people turn up here simply to be antagonistic.
But sometimes they don't. They might be searching or wanting to discuss Jesus and we shouldn't put them off.
Denominational rage goes back a long way to the point of starting wars and not all the blame can be laid strictly
at the feet of Catholics.

Of course Protestants and Catholics continue to have many significant differences. These disagreements should be matters that can be discussed between reasonable adults. It is one thing, though, to say, “Let us discuss our disagreements, that perhaps we might understand each other better,” and another thing entirely to say, “You are the great whore of Babylon!”
When one party views the other as a wilful participant in a religious organisation that is the actual embodiment of Satan
on the earth, then even simple dialogue becomes impossible. Though this dynamic has plagued the relationship of Roman Catholics and Protestants for the past five hundred years we should look forward. The enemy is at the gate.

lynch mob"

Hyperbolic language typically employs comparison so it can be recognized as such... btw

 

[Whispered]

Reading this thread to this point is no different than reading whenever Catholicism enters into any thread here.

I think if we first accept that sometimes people may be here not as antagonists but are searching or wanting to discuss Jesus, that we should be mindful of how we who claim to have Him within us behave when discussing, in this case, Catholicism. What is the example we set when we think to speak as we do about a people, while claiming we have God and are an example of what it means to be Christian, as compared to what we once were.

When we put on the devil to attack Catholics do we appear indwelt by Holy Spirit God? Or rather, do we appear as if we don't know Him at all?
Acting like the devil is a poor example of one who claims to know Christ.

 

[Whispered]

In places where there are not too many Christians, or where Christians are persecuted such as ISIS controlled Syria, Protestant and Catholic pastors/priests WORK TOGETHER. The local churches there WORK TOGETHER. A travelling missionary who has been to places like Nigeria and Middle East said this at my church.

Bless him. He's right.

 

[Michael29]

So figures like Mother Teresa, St Nicholas, St Patrick, St Valentine, etc are in Hell?

Hello there. I hope all is well and I truly want to help you answer this as best as I can.

1st off this world is divided into Jews and Non-Jews and in short, to serve different roles just like anything else (i.e. parents and children, kings and servants, beasts and fish, men and women, rain and sunshine). Why? Simple. God created it this way for us to work together as brothers and sisters and learn who to appreciate all aspects of life that God made. For King Solomon could find wisdom even in the attitude of an ant. The reason I brought this point up is to understand that the NT can "easily" be misunderstood when even one single verse is taken out of place. Hence why there are 40,000+ denominations of Christianity and a massive separation between Catholics and Christians which people call "doctrines". This should summarize why separations are made sadly.

2nd: If you truly desire to understand the bible better on a personal level, you pray with all your heart that God will give you the insight you need to understand each verse and if you are seeking truth, He will provide. What is better than this? Learning from a teacher/leader. But who should you go to? Let me ask you a simple question: If you wanted to learn French, would you go to the Native German speaker who studied French for 2-3 years and decided to teach later in life or from a born Frenchman who lives to teach French? How much more so should one go to someone who knows the original language of the text, lives the original language and commandments and doesn't need an english, latin, roman, kjv, niv..... translation.

3rd: Straight to the point. Anyone who summarizes "judgment" into simple words or by using one or two verses out of context, I would run from. People are prone to try simplify things for their own benefit just like apps on our phones, and just look how "wonderful" we are as people today. Have you ever seen the processes and thought process it takes to complete a divorce? And one would think that God simply just casts a soul to heaven or hell on "I believe this doctrine or that doctrine?". Heaven forbid. God will judge each individual from every thought they had, every conversation that had, the circumstances they grew up with, the accessibility to God's word, what they did with there time, etc. It is true that is the "love of God" that saves, but do you go to your wife or husband and say, "Hunnie, I love you". Then your partner asks, "Wow, I love you too. Can you do the laundry for me while I take the kids to school? Can you warm up the car for me while I get dressed? Can you wait for me another hour while I speak with my parents? etc". and then your response is, "Sorry hunnie I love you but I don't have to do anything in this relationship because God loves me! Or Hunnie we just have to 'love' but not do anything". See how far that relationship goes. You think God created us just to "think" that we love Him? Or by His love and grace IN RETURN we show Him how much we love Him with what we have and what we are willing to do for Him? Just look at the life of Paul and the words he uses and that alone should summarize what it takes to be in the Kingdom of Heaven (regardless of what "doctrine" you think you follow). Therefore, yes your faith in God and Jesus is important, but God so much more would rather see you get along with your brothers and sisters, love people who hate, give money or food to those who need WITHOUT JUDGING, spend more time with the elderly and widows, cover your bodies and not look at inappropriate things, speak only positive words and cast away the negative thoughts AND THIS will show God how much you accepted His love and grace!.... "By your fruits you shall know"... BUT even then, "The Beginning of Wisdom is fear of the Lord (not Corona Virus, not your boss, not anything else)" and by the grace of God we have proven ourselves loyal and that we desire to have a relationship with God. Billy Graham once said, "I'll tell you how deep your faith is by telling me what you do with your spare time"

4th: By now you may be able to tell that your question isn't so simple. If you wife wants a bag of milk and you buy orange juice, thinking "she will love OJ instead", how will she respond? God has rules for Jews and Non-Jews. Non-Jews. Example, both cannot worship idols (i.e. statues, other powers other than God). The Catholic church misunderstood a Jewish teaching, where Jews do NOT pray to the Patriarch's or Rabbi's (i.e like Rachel's Tomb or Chevron), but they pray in their "MERIT" because their spiritual reception was and is much greater than ours. Catholics however started making their own "saints" and prayed "TOO" them instead of in their merit. Hence why Jesus always since "IN MY NAME", not "TO MY NAME". So yes, this was wrong on the Catholics point. But could I name a flaw with EVERY sector, YES. Why? Because we are all HUMAN. That is why we need mercy, why we need forgiveness and therefore the requirements to receive such a gift is too... FORGIVE OTHERS!!! Tell me, what will God judge you more on, forgiving others and making hard choices but mending relationships, or simply throwing in your mind a doctrine (only)? But people will tell you its simple, its this and that. No the mechanics of life are complex and wisdom is hidden from the fool, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS and everything else will be given to you"!

I hope this answers your question! I am more than glad to help you with anything else.

 

[Nehemiah6]

I was taught to pray to Jesus by priests, nuns, teachers & my parents.

Then why do Catholics pray to Mary?

Hail, holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, Who by the working of the Holy Spirit didst prepare both body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mother, Mary, that she might deserve to be made a worthy dwelling for Thy Son, grant that we who rejoice in her memory, may, by her loving intercession, be delivered from present evils and from lasting death, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Salve, Regina
Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;
vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.

V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.

R. Ut digni efficamur promissionibus Christi.

Oremus. Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui gloriosae Virginis Matris Mariae corpus et animam, ut dignum Filii tui habitaculum effici mereretur, Spiritu Sancto cooperante, praeparasti, da, ut cuius commemoratione laetamur; eius pia intercessione, ab instantibus malis et a morte perpetua liberemur. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

In places where there are not too many Christians, or where Christians are persecuted such as ISIS controlled Syria, Protestant and Catholic pastors/priests WORK TOGETHER. The local churches there WORK TOGETHER. A travelling missionary who has been to places like Nigeria and Middle East said this at my church.

Well in a war zone we dont typically get picky if someone wants to be our allies. It is only in peace we have the luxury to hash out theological differences.

 

[Deade]

Where do they differ and why?
Do both lead to salvation? Why or why not?
How should we treat each other?

Does it matter where they differ? They are deceived for the most part right along with their Protestant offshoots. Are we allowed to determine their salvation? No, I would say we can't. We should treat them with love.

I understand but wouldn't you agree that a unbeliever Biblically cannot find salvation on his own merits? What do you preach to unbelievers about salvation? Reason I ask is in your opinion does Catholicism lead to salvation? If no then wouldn't you be afraid that your friends destination would be the same?

Many people on here says it doesn't lead to salvation.

Again, we are not allowed to determine another fate. The RCC is full of idolatry but so is most other denominations. Listen to Lafftur's advice, love will cover a multitude of sins!

1 Peter 4:8 "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

 

[Jackson123]

Hence why Jesus always since "IN MY NAME", not "TO MY NAME". So yes, this was wrong on the Catholics point. But could I name a flaw with EVERY sector, YES. Why? Because we are all HUMAN. That is why we need mercy, why we need forgiveness and therefore the requirements to receive such a gift is too... FORGIVE OTHERS!!!

So you suggest us to forgive catholic for their wrong doing by pray to Mary?

Their not wrong us. Yes we have to love them, but Nothing to do with our forgiveness.

We forgive If their harm us or do some thing bad to us.

But pray to Mary is between them and God.

All we can do is tell them It is not biblical and up to them wether they believe or not.

To tell the truth is not hatred, It is love.

But in my oppinion their teaching is not Christian teaching. Not because I hate them but because I love them and want them to accept Jesus teaching No edit.

 

[bojack]

Does it matter where they differ? They are deceived for the most part right along with their Protestant offshoots. Are we allowed to determine their salvation? No, I would say we can't. We should treat them with love.



Again, we are not allowed to determine another fate. The RCC is full of idolatry but so is most other denominations. Listen to Lafftur's advice, love will cover a multitude of sins!

1 Peter 4:8 "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

I think the RCC is run by perverts and murderers and always has .. I don't worry about Methodists or Baptists or Assemblies of God or even low level well meaning Catholics wanting to kill me or taking over the world forcing one world religion that include all gods .. The low level well meaning Catholics will get a pass ..

 

[Michael29]

So you suggest us to forgive catholic for their wrong doing by pray to Mary?

Their not wrong us. Yes we have to love them, but Nothing to do with our forgiveness.

We forgive If their harm us or do some thing bad to us.

But pray to Mary is between them and God.

All we can do is tell them It is not biblical and up to them wether they believe or not.

To tell the truth is not hatred, It is love.

But in my oppinion their teaching is not Christian teaching. Not because I hate them but because I love them and want them to accept Jesus teaching No edit.

You are 100% and I said the same thing, praying to other “deities or statutes” etc, is wrong for any human being. Why just label a Catholic? Even more so, when does any one listen when you start off with a rebuke? Try and understand the person first, give him credit and love for what he does right. This applies to any sin, not just heaven images or homosexuality or breaking the 10 commandments. We ALL sin, but sadly many of us were fed that some are more important than others by mankind and forgot to read what God said.

The “OT” when rebuking someone, you are commanded to do it BUT don’t sin. What do you mean don’t sin? Because it is very easy to rebuke someone and as long as you do it in any selfish, angry matter, your sin has been greater than the one you rebuked. So yes, let’s not single our Catholics but first “take the log out of our own eye”. I simply wanted to answer the question for this gentleman because he asked specifically what was different.

 

[Locoponydirtman]

The Catholic church has some serious problems, but so does the Protestant. For members of one to point at the error of the other is very hypocritical. I'm not going to go through the list, these posts are limited to 1000 words, and you could post 10000 words on the error of each. Not that we should not seek to be honest and hold to the truth of the word, but we should do it in humility and understanding and in love; if not for the person for Christ.
This is why I am neither, I sometimes attend a Protestant church, but it is because I love the people there. I never attend a Catholic church. I prefer a Lutheran Church of the LCMS, and would attend a Presbyterian Church of I knew someone to go with or of a Presbyterian body to attend.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Does it matter where they differ? They are deceived for the most part right along with their Protestant offshoots. Are we allowed to determine their salvation? No, I would say we can't. We should treat them with love.



Again, we are not allowed to determine another fate. The RCC is full of idolatry but so is most other denominations. Listen to Lafftur's advice, love will cover a multitude of sins!

1 Peter 4:8 "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

Again, we are not allowed to determine another fate.

We or the Bible? The Bible tells us the fate of unbelievers or false teachers.

Are we allowed to determine their salvation? No, I would say we can't.

A few people on here have said that Catholicism doesn't hold to the 5 solas. Which is core Christian doctrine.

• Sola Fide, by faith alone.
• Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.
• Solus Christus, through Christ alone.
• Sola Gratia, by grace alone.
• Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone.

Salvation comes from grace through faith alone in Christ alone.

In your opinion would you agree or disagree? Please explain.

 

[Jackson123]

You are 100% and I said the same thing, praying to other “deities or statutes” etc, is wrong for any human being. Why just label a Catholic? Even more so, when does any one listen when you start off with a rebuke? Try and understand the person first, give him credit and love for what he does right. This applies to any sin, not just heaven images or homosexuality or breaking the 10 commandments. We ALL sin, but sadly many of us were fed that some are more important than others by mankind and forgot to read what God said.

The “OT” when rebuking someone, you are commanded to do it BUT don’t sin. What do you mean don’t sin? Because it is very easy to rebuke someone and as long as you do it in any selfish, angry matter, your sin has been greater than the one you rebuked. So yes, let’s not single our Catholics but first “take the log out of our own eye”. I simply wanted to answer the question for this gentleman because he asked specifically what was different.

Yep we all sin.
For Example we commit adultery, It is sin.

And we have to say It is sin

The problem is because we commit adultery than we say commit adultery is not sin.

Than we teach other gospel, or not believe the teaching of Jesus.

Same with the teaching of pray to Mary. It is sin and we have to declare It us sin not because we are sinless, but because we have to tell the truth.

 

[Deade]

I think the RCC is run by perverts and murderers and always has .. I don't worry about Methodists or Baptists or Assemblies of God or even low level well meaning Catholics wanting to kill me or taking over the world forcing one world religion that include all gods .. The low level well meaning Catholics will get a pass ..

So you are not the least bit deceived? Be careful the hatred you have for Catholics doesn't consume you. You can't call anyone's fate until God is finished with them.

 

[Deade]

We or the Bible? The Bible tells us the fate of unbelievers or false teachers.



A few people on here have said that Catholicism doesn't hold to the 5 solas. Which is core Christian doctrine.

• Sola Fide, by faith alone.
• Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.
• Solus Christus, through Christ alone.
• Sola Gratia, by grace alone.
• Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone.

Salvation comes from grace through faith alone in Christ alone.

In your opinion would you agree or disagree? Please explain.

You say the Bible explains one fate for the unbelievers and yet the same Bible tells me of another fate. You believe they are living forever in flames? Is that death?

Everyone dies the first death. Those that do not have the Holy Spirit in this life have no chance of salvation. Everyone has the promise of a future resurrection (Rev. 20:5). What God does with them at that time mainstream Christianity has completely missed the mark.

I don't hold to your five solas or any other Protestant doctrine. Yes, salvation is faith through grace alone only if you have the right Holy Spirit. We know there is a counterfeit, right?

 

[TheIndianGirl]

A few people on here have said that Catholicism doesn't hold to the 5 solas. Which is core Christian doctrine.

• Sola Fide, by faith alone.
• Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone.
• Solus Christus, through Christ alone.
• Sola Gratia, by grace alone.
• Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone.

Salvation comes from grace through faith alone in Christ alone.

In your opinion would you agree or disagree? Please explain.

I do not believe there is disagreement between Protestants and Catholics for each of these.

• Sola Fide, by faith alone. - There is disagreement, since Catholics believe in faith and works. No one is disagreeing about the faith part, but on works. Isn't there some support for works, hence why Martin Luther wanted to remove Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelations from the Canon? Why else would Martin Luther want to remove these books?
• Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone. - Early Christians relied on oral tradition. The earliest Christians most likely only had one Gospel depending on where they were living, rather than all four Gospels (the disciples/apostles were spread out and were living in different locations). The NT was compiled earliest around 200 AD-300 AD. As these Christians did not have Scripture, what did they rely upon? The early (Catholic) church analyzed through a lot of criteria to determine whether the book/letter was inspired by God. First, there were a lot of gnostic books which were weeded out. Other criteria include whether the book was written by an apostle, whether it was accepted by the majority, whether the book/letter had a lot of impact/inspiration on the community/congregation, etc. My point here is that there is a strong dose of tradition in compiling the NT. I have not researched papal decrees, but it seemed that the Catholic Church followed apostolic tradition closely/ tried to protect or expand Christendom in the beginning but later got a bit anti-Semitic so it looks like the Catholic Church sidetracked from even tradition. So, it seems that the Catholic Church went beyond/outside the scope of tradition.
• Solus Christus, through Christ alone. - Both Protestants and Catholics agree. Catholics pray to the saints because it is written in the Apocrypha. They do not view Mary as God/Messiah.
• Sola Gratia, by grace alone. - Both Protestants and Catholics agree (although Catholics believe grace comes with faith and works).
• Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone. - Both Protestants and Catholics agree.